Camden Council proposes to
The pedestrian crossing on the eastern side of the junction (on Tavistock Place) would be relocated 3.2 metres to the west. Putting it on the pedestrian desire line.
The green signal stages for the cycle lane and vehicular traffic on Tavistock Place would be combined for east/west movements, so that all east/west traffic moves together.
This proposal would require banning the left turn for eastbound traffic from Tavistock Place into Marchmont Street to avoid conflict with cyclists going straight ahead along the cycle route. Emergency Services and cyclists would still be permitted to make the left turn.
Cyclists using the east/west segregated cycle lane would be able to turn northward, into Marchmont Street. However, the turning movements from the segregated cycle lane into Marchmont Street (south) would need to be banned to avoid conflict with general traffic going straight ahead. Cyclists would still be able to turn to the south by using the main road carriageway.
Banning the left turn would mean that some vehicles that currently turn into Marchmont Street north would have a slightly longer route via Judd Street. As a result, there would be an increase in traffic on Judd Street and potentially the east-west streets that link Judd Street to Cartwright Gardens.
Leigh Street / Judd Street junction
The carriageway (presumably in Leigh Street) would be raised to the same level as the pavement at the Leigh Street/Judd Street junction to provide a step free crossing area across the junction.
Click here to see the consultation leaflet
CCC’s response
Marchmont/Tavistock Junction
This junction has a mixed history, as far as cycling is concerned and also has problems for pedestrians.
When the cycle track was put in (winter 2004-5) the pedestrian crossing on the east side of the junction was moved further east (off the desire line).
Then in 2006, we received complaints from cyclists that people cycling straight ahead eastbound on the cycle track were experiencing near misses from left turning motorists. So to solve that problem, Camden Council installed a separate signal for cyclists on Tavistock Place (it ran after the vehicle signal in the cycle of phases). Many cyclists were annoyed at having to wait so long and then having only a few seconds in which to proceed. So they mostly went at the corresponding vehicle signal.
At the CRISP inspection in summer 2008, it was observed by Dave Stewart that nobody (pedestrians, cyclists, etc) behaves as was intended when the junction was designed. The CRISP report recommended that motor vehicle left turns (from Tavistock Place into Marchmont Street) be banned and the signals be returned to their original state. It also proposed that the pedestrian crossing be put back in a position closer to the junction.
The consultation is proposing to do all of those, which we support strongly.
Displaced traffic in Judd Street – effect on Bidborough/Mabledon junction
As the consultation points out, some of the traffic that is not allowed to turn left will return to Cartwright Gardens or Mabledon Place from Judd Street via one of the east-west streets. We believe that if it uses Bidborough Street, it will increase hazards for cyclists at the junction of Mabledon Place.
Mabledon Place is one way northbound for motor vehicles at this point and drivers turning right out of Bidborough Street may not look out for the contraflow cyclists crossing the junction southbound.
We therefore request that such traffic be encouraged to use either Leigh Street or Hastings Street.
